Phil Mickelson puts LIV Golf loyalties aside to help fellow pro reach PGA Tour
Phil Mickelson delivered the "coolest experience" of a fellow pro player's golfing life, after helping Mark Baldwin prepare for the second stage of PGA Tour qualifying school.
Baldwin is one of many hopefuls aiming to earn a PGA Tour card ahead of 2024, and made his way through round one of Q-School, before turning his attention to the next step. Ahead of a gruelling stage two, Baldwin has received the help of one of golf's greatest players in Mickelson.
Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1 on X), reached out to Mickelson on behalf of the PGA Tour hopeful for some guidance and support, and the six-time major champion obliged - and then some.
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The LIV Golf star agreed to play nine holes with Baldwin, as well as work on his short game practice, an area of expertise Mickelson is renowned for. In a text message to his fellow pro, Mickelson wrote: "Tomorrow let's meet at 2:30 at either the farms or Rancho Santa Fe.
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"We can play 9 or we can work on short game, play a few games to get you sharp. My idea is to fine tune your touch and feel for 2nd stage. The more shots you save around the green the better your chances to succeed. Sunday morning we will meet around 8 and practice short irons, chipping, putting and then play at 10:30."
Unsurprisingly, Baldwin could not wait to take up the 2021 PGA Champion's offer, quickly responding: "Love it! Playing 9 tomorrow sounds great but I know you're playing in the a.m. so whatever you feel up for, I'm in." The invite then got even better for the Tour hopeful, who also headed to Mickelson's home for further help.
After the coaching clinic, the three-time Masters champion then took on Baldwin in a 18-hole match. Mickelson himself left the PGA Tour after over 30 years last June, signing on the dotted line with Greg Norman and co to sign with LIV Golf.
Mickelson infamously all-but confirmed his Saudi switch four months before the news was official, in a staggering interview with Fire Pit Collective. The American described his new Saudi Arabian bosses as 'scary motherf******', but appeared to brush aside the Middle Eastern-state's poor human rights record in order to 'reshape' the PGA Tour.
In the months that have followed, the HyFlyers captain has built no bridges with his former tour, even after it was announced LIV and the American-based circuit were set to work alongside each other as part of a framework agreement. After the shock deal was revealed in June, PGA Tour officials Jimmy Dunne and Ron Price appeared in front of the U.S. Senate to discuss their decision to join forces with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Accusing Dunne and the Tour of 'misleading' players, Mickelson tweeted in July: "What’s weird is no one covering this took the time to ask a lawyer how this legal document reads AND that Jimmy Dunne conveniently left out the two most important parts of the deal and what it means when discussing it publicly and to the players... Misleading half truths."
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